writers

Megan Stielstra is the author of Everyone Remain Calm and the Literary Director of 2nd Story. She tells stories in all sorts of theaters, festivals, and bars, and her writing has appeared or is forthcoming in The Best American Essays 2013, The Rumpus, PANK, Make Magazine, f Magazine, Other Voices, and elsewhere. She teaches writing and […]

Have you ever wondered who reads submissions to magazines? What editors are seeking? How to avoid rejection? In short, how to get past the slush pile? Dana Norris is here to help! Dana will lead our upcoming Writers Night Out Workshop: Shine Through the Slush which takes place on Monday, August 5 at 6:30 p.m. Dana […]

We are thrilled to announce the schedule for the 2013 Chicago Writers Conference! Talks and panels include How to Be Your Publisher’s Favorite Author, Successful Nonfiction Strategies, Take the “Free” Out of Freelance, Add Laughter to Your Writing…Seriously, and much more. On Saturday, September 28 Alex Shakar will be our keynote speaker while on Sunday, […]

Last weekend, Chicago Writers Conference participated in the largest free outdoor literary event in the Midwest: Printers Row Lit Fest. We hosted a panel with writers William Shunn, Wesley Chu, and Holly McDowell who gave the audience insight into their day-to-day lives as writers. The authors managed to pack a wealth of information in the […]

Registration is now open for the 2013 Chicago Writers Conference! Our annual conference kicks off with a party and a free performance by Improvised Jane Austen at Open Books Bookstore on September 27. Conference sessions on September 28 and 29 will take place at the Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State St., Chicago, on […]

Kathie Bergquist is the editor of Windy City Queer: LGBTQ Dispatches from the Third Coast, co-author of The Field Guide to Gay and Lesbian Chicago, and author of four photo-filled biographies of pop stars for teenagers. For nine years, she was the City Editor of the Not For Tourist’s Guide to Chicago. Her writing has […]

This week, author Samantha Hoffman shares her insights on grieving, writing, and inspiration. Life events often provide inspiration for our writing. The year after my father died is the jumping off point for my novel What More Could You Wish For. My father was my biggest fan and greatest supporter. He told me I could […]

We’re gearing up for this year’s Chicago Writers Conference by catching up with some of our past speakers. First up is Robert K. Elder, author of It Was Love When: Tales from the Beginning of Love, It Was Over When: Tales of Romantic Dead Ends, The Film That Changed My Life and Last Words of the Executed. Robert […]

Chicago Writers Conference 2013 Dates Announced Mark your calendar, we have dates! The 2013 Chicago Writers Conference will take place September 27-29, 2013. The conference gets off to a roaring start with a kick-off party on Friday, September 27 at Open Books bookstore. Events on Saturday and Sunday will be held at Harold Washington Library, […]

Chicago is still mourning the loss of Pulitzer-prize winning film critic, Roger Ebert. The Urbana native and long-time Chicagoan, wrote for the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death though many will also remember him for his syndicated commercial television show, Siskel and Ebert and the Movies. When he lost his ability to speak, one of the […]